I love him so, so much. But what I’ve realized through all of this is that we need other people too: siblings, parents, friends, more friends, a therapist. Even teachers sometimes. That doesn’t mean our relationship isn’t strong. ― Alice Oseman, Heartstopper Volume 4
I’ve been working my way through my recommendation list lately. As soon as I wrap up one series, I’m sad that it is over. I tend to go looking for something along the same lines. After falling in love with characters in Six of Crows and The Raven Cycle, I came across this warm hug of a webcomic. It is gorgeous and tender and reading it felt like pulling on your favorite soft hoodie, still warm from the dryer, on a wet winter day.
Charlie and Nick are assigned to the same homeroom in their all-boys high school. Charlie was outed the year prior, endured severe bullying, and is nervous about being paired up with “rugby lad” Nick. We see their relationship evolve as they gain one another’s trust and become best friends. How they navigate what comes next is tender and joyful.
One thing I enjoyed about these books is the side characters. Sure, there were a few who behaved as I expected of them. But the conversations with Charlie’s and Nick’s parents, and their friends, were really beautiful. There is one scene where a nice, friendly dinner breaks down into a screaming match. Instead of someone storming out and everyone sitting there awkwardly, the two moms hug and, as one apologizes for the drama, the other smiles and replies that her family has its own share of drama too.
There were turns that this story took that I was not expecting. Some parts that are difficult to read. Instead of framing characters as “the victim” and “the aggressor”, the author showed that everyone has their own fear and trauma and that they make mistakes. And sometimes they keep making them! As a fan of YA and teen-centric drama, so often the main characters are basically adults playing teens (physically and mentally). But Charlie and Nick really act like silly, loving, insecure, and immature teenagers.
The good: Oh my heart. I am in love with these two and their kind, supportive parents. Both boys have to face some very real, adult situations with regards to living with depression and anxiety, among other things. It is not an easy journey, and it is not portrayed as such in the book. But it is also not needlessly mined for dramatic purposes. As the author writes at the end of of book 4, “Romantic love does not “cure” mental illness.” The story of Nick and Charlie shows how there are good days and bad days, and that most of the time, the path is recovery is neither linear nor time-bound.
The bad: I have very little to complain about. If I had to choose something, there were a couple of characters who were over-the-top hateful with no redeeming qualities.
